Is it really needed in my 71 350's oil and if so where can it be bought? I can't find it anywhere and no one knows what I'm talking about.
Steve, There is so much information on this board, and some things just get repeated over and over. All you need to do is put "Zinc" into the search function of this board, and you'll be reading for hours. Here is one additive. http://www.zddplus.com/ You can order it from Greg Gessler http://www.gesslerheadporting.com/m...e279745d7b21b9c405257295000cab20!OpenDocument
Any speed shop should carry it, or something similar. Todays engines use roller valvetrains. They don't need zinc in the oil, but your flat tappet engine does.
If your using a stock cam and springs, you are probably fine without it. I broke in a TA 212 with stock springs and No zinc in the oil, and it worked fine. However, I wouldn't do that again.
I agree with Larry. I use Brad Penn oil (the green oil)....it has the zinc in it already!!!:TU: [ QUOTE=LARRY70GS;1417952]Any speed shop should carry it, or something similar. Todays engines use roller valvetrains. They don't need zinc in the oil, but your flat tappet engine does.[/QUOTE]
It is far better to err on the side of caution..... It would be bad to lose an engine because you did not put a bottle of zinc in the oil..... and that is what we are talking about here,,,, If it wipes the cam out , the metal chips will destroy the oil pump and all the bearings...a bottle of additive is a lot cheaper than rebuilding an engine......:Brow:
Not sure if anyone else has used it, but I picked up a bottle of Crane Cams Super Lube from the local speed shop... didn't list the make up of the additive, but I checked Summit and it lists as a high concentration of zinc dithiophosphate. http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=CRN-99003-1&N=700+115&autoview=sku Now come to think about it, did I hear that Crane was going under? Maybe difficult to find this additive if that is the case. Looks like Summit has it as N/A. Comp Cams has a similar product too by the looks of it.
Dunno why its always such a big deal, why go all over town to try and find some special oil. Just order a few bottles of ZDDP off ebay or where ever and add 1 to whatever oil you usually use. Its a no brainier then.
The cost of shipping a case or two of oil just wouldn't make it cost effective. Finding BP oil is not an easy manuver for all.
Finding it is as easy as googling it... http://www.bradpennracing.com/ Shipping to me was approx. $12.00 for two cases. From: http://kimbrooil.com/ But I am not very far from them. Great customer service also. Bert
i am no mechanic. from what i have been told is that the main problem is brake end of engine. need high zinc with flat tappet cams. after that rotella is fine. also if you have high rev rocker springs you need more zinc. also rotella has reduced its amount of zinc in the last couple of years. jim
Don't scrimp on protection! Get the Brad Penn if you have a performance shop nearby. Bill Mahoney uses it also!:TU: Reg oil is 3.75 to 4.25 a qt. Brad Penn is 5.00. Zddp additive is 6.00 a bottle. Add it up! Use the GOOD STUFF!
If you happen to have a surplus of old CI formulation rotella, then yes. The newest CJ rotella does not have enough. Chevron Delo 400 LE has just enough, but not for cam break-in or higher spring pressures.
rotella and other truck oil is losing the zinc per epa. it is only going to get worse. i here walmart has the old delo and rotella. i am using brad penn. if i was you i would use brad penn, or any good oil with zddp, or crane cam break end. i think comp makes a zddp additive also, but not sure. jim ps. brad penn is a synthetic mixture also. i would recommend a oil that is mixed with reg and synthetic.
